“The tragedy of Nigeria is our collective amnesia, which has bred a horde of cynics who are fixated on the anti-Obasanjo prism. Many Nigerians have chosen to forget where we were when Obasanjo assumed power.”

Many recent commentators, especially, the prejudiced cynics have bandied the ideal of a revolution in reaction to events and incidents in Nigeria. To the realists the word revolution normally elicits fear and revulsion for the violent nature of its historical antecedents. This writer was, therefore, one of those who prayed to our merciful God to offer Nigeria a safe landing as its socioeconomic and political developments cascade toward a denouement.

However, a realistic, patriotic and unprejudiced review of recent events and incidents in Nigeria would reveal the commencement of an Obasanjo revolution in the socioeconomic and political development of this country. The tragedy of Nigeria is our collective amnesia, which has bred a horde of cynics who are fixated on the anti-Obasanjo prism. Many Nigerians have chosen to forget where we were when Obasanjo assumed power. They have chosen to don an unrealistic toga, which has blinded them to the fact that Nigeria was a totally battered and ruined country by 1999. From this pedestal they have failed to realise the patent natural course of events that in rebuilding a demolished structure, one has to first undertake the arduous and unrewarding clearing of the debris of the initial structure.

Viewed from this perspective, Obasanjo has, in spite of human imperfections, made efforts in clearing the daunting debris of decades of misrule and brigandage in Nigeria and is now on the move to lay a lasting foundation for a virile Nigeria. He started in 1999, by the foolhardy courage of dispersing the political locusts in the armed forces. He deftly eased out the feudal oligarchy which used the armed forces to hold the country’s economy and politics in a primitive stranglehold. People now conveniently forget the howl, which went up when Obasanjo risked his administration and life to establish the considerable level playing field, which permeates Nigeria now.

In spite of opposition and lack of appreciation, he laid the foundation for the now ongoing confrontation of the hydra-headed powerful corrupt cabal, which had totally taken over all aspects of life in the country. Can anybody identify a ruler of Nigeria who allowed the exposition and tackling of something like the infamous Abacha loot saga, the national identity card, roguery, the first National Assembly contract scandal and now the recent unraveling of a National Assembly steeped in corruption? Who but a focused revolutionary could have weathered the anti-North accusations and moved forward. Didn’t Obasanjo escape impeachment by the whiskers for his opposition to the situation in which a National Assembly, voted to superintend over a country’s development and progress, became a cabal of self-centered people out for their personal and group advantages.

By the man’s revolutionary courage, Nigerians now know that the leadership and some members of the National Assembly have been blackmailing ministers and public servants to divert money meant for servicing the people’s projects. Naturally, a minister or a public servant who pays his or her toll to the National Assembly would feel free to steal funds, having erected a cover from above. Who, but Obasanjo, could have allowed the earthshaking revelations on the Chief Police Officer of the country. Who could have braved the explosion that has now shaken the corrupt cabal in the National Assembly.

The tragedy of this country is the deadly virus of cynicism. The ruinous, June 12 saga resulted in the uproarious call for a National Conference. President Obasanjo dithered because, in his vintage position he realised the complexities of the Nigerian condition. He was wise enough to know that a socially, culturally, religiously and politically heterogeneous entity like Nigeria is bound to explode if seeming populist actions are taken without clearing the ground. He summoned the Reform Conference when he felt it was safe in spite of the opposition of the National Assembly.

Are we not in our stupid incorrigible cynicism reading his third-term bid into an exercise that should set Nigeria on the road to political development and peace? Indeed cynics can continue in their anti-Obasanjo fixation. The man is not an angel. He is human with all the attendant shortcomings. But the truth is that no Nigerian civil leader has tried to evolve fair-play and equity in the body politic, as Obasanjo has so far tried. No Nigerian leader has tried to establish an anti-corruption system as he is trying to do. We still remember the free-for-all rot during the Shagari administration, Murtala and Buhari wielded brutal and lawless powers indiscriminately, while corruption simmered under them. Babangida’s rule formalised corrupt practices. President Obasanjo has commenced a tripod revolution, which should eventually establish socioeconomic and political stability and development. His economic programme should see this country to economic progress if we are prepared to bear the necessary pains. His political reforms should offer Nigeria a well-ordered political framework. If the 400 Nigerians cannot, or are not allowed to, hammer out a lasting political blueprint for Nigeria, then we are doomed.

His war on corruption should restore sanity and decorum in our individual and group relationships. It would be fatal tragedy for Nigeria if prejudice, cynicism and sell-centeredness are allowed to douse the Obasanjo revolution. It is a quiet and bloodless revolution that should restore our country. The idealistic quick revolutions being promoted by the unrealistic cynics will result in bloodshed and suffering for the masses of Nigeria.

J.O. Muruako, Daily Champion (Lagos), April 29, 2005